With the off the pitch drama hogging the limelight more than Kelantan’s performance on the field, no one expected the Red Warriors to come his far in the Malaysia Cup competition.
However, the Red Warriors have defied the odds to reach the last eight from Group C which also had the likes of defending champions Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) and last year’s runners-up Kedah.
But qualify they did by the skin of the teeth with a 2-0 defeat of Kedah in their final group fixture at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium, advancing on goal difference to bring MISC-MIFA crashing down. MIFA went down 3-0 to JDT in their final group match at the Shah Alam Stadium and their goal tally read 8-9 against Kelantan’s 3-3.
Five-time Super League champions JDT topped the group with nine points after being hopelessly placed and staring at Malaysia Cup exit. JDT’s big win over MIFA also paved the way or Kelantan’s march in the country’s oldest football competition.
“We survived a tough journey. We defied the odds to make the knockout stage and now we look to defy the odds again for a place in the semi-finals,” said Kelantan coach Yusri Che Lah, a former international who hails from Perlis.
“The players displayed tremendous fighting spirit…and fight till the end as we needed one more goal to make it. Reaching the (Malaysia Cup) quarter-finals is special to me as a coach.
“This is the furthest I have taken a team in my coaching career in a major competition. I also thank our loyal fans for staying with us through thick and thin.”
Nik Akif Syahiran scored the all-important second goal deep into added time after Danial Ashraf scored the first on 52 minutes.
In the two-leg quarter-finals, Kelantan will take on Pahang. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
MALAYSIA CUP
QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Felda United vs Terengganu
Perak vs PKNS FC
Pahang vs JDT
Kelantan vs Sabah
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